Trump Account at Vanguard: Funds, Fees & How to Open (2026)

Yes, Vanguard is expected to be an approved Trump Account (Section 530A) trustee. Vanguard pioneered index investing. Jack Bogle founded the company and created the first index fund for individual investors. If you are looking for "Vanguard Trump Account," "530A account Vanguard," or wondering how to open a Trump Account at Vanguard — this guide covers everything. You will need to file IRS Form 4547 with the IRS first, then select Vanguard as your trustee.

Why Choose Vanguard for a Trump Account?

Vanguard invented index investing. In 1976, Jack Bogle launched the first index fund available to everyday investors. That fund became VFIAX. Its ETF counterpart is VOO. Together, they hold trillions of dollars in assets.

What makes Vanguard different is their ownership structure. Vanguard is owned by its funds. The funds are owned by their shareholders. That means you, the investor, are the owner. There are no outside shareholders pushing for higher fees. This structure keeps costs low over time.

For a Trump Account that will grow for up to 18 years, that commitment to low costs matters. Every basis point saved is more money compounding for your child.

If you already have a Vanguard IRA, brokerage account, or 529 plan, adding your child's Trump Account to the same platform keeps everything in one place. One login. One dashboard.

Vanguard Fund Options

Trump Accounts must be invested in mutual funds or ETFs that track the S&P 500 or a broad U.S. equity index. Expense ratios must be at or below 0.1%. Vanguard offers four strong options:

All four funds are well below the 0.1% expense ratio cap. VOO and VTI are the cheapest at 0.03%. VFIAX and VTSAX cost slightly more at 0.04% but let you buy fractional shares easily through automatic investing.

For a deeper look at eligible funds, see Trump Account Index Fund Requirements.

VOO vs VFIAX: Which to Pick?

Both track the S&P 500. Both are from Vanguard. The difference comes down to minimums and how you invest.

Choose VOO if you are starting small. VOO is an ETF. There is no minimum investment beyond the price of one share (or a fractional share if your brokerage supports it). The expense ratio is 0.03%. This is the better option for most new Trump Account contributors.

Choose VFIAX if you can invest $3,000 or more. VFIAX is a mutual fund. You need $3,000 to open a position. But once you are in, you can invest any dollar amount — $50, $100, $500 — without worrying about share prices. Automatic investing is seamless with mutual funds.

Both are excellent. The 0.01% difference in expense ratio is negligible. On a $10,000 balance, that is $1 per year. Pick the one that fits how you plan to contribute.

How to Open a Trump Account at Vanguard

You cannot go to Vanguard and open a Trump Account directly. The process starts with the IRS. Here are the steps:

1. File IRS Form 4547 with the IRS. Include it with your 2025 tax return (due April 15, 2026). You can also file through trumpaccounts.gov when the portal launches mid-2026, or by mail.
2. Wait for IRS activation. The IRS will process your election and activate the Trump Account. You will receive confirmation.
3. Select Vanguard as your trustee. Once the approved trustee list is published and your account is active, designate Vanguard as your custodian.
4. Choose your fund. Pick VOO, VFIAX, VTI, or VTSAX — whichever fits your investment style.
5. Start contributing. You can contribute up to $5,000 per year. If your child was born between 2025 and 2028, the $1,000 federal pilot deposit will also be deposited into the account.

For the complete walkthrough with tips, see our step-by-step guide to opening a Trump Account.

Vanguard vs Fidelity vs Schwab

All three major brokerages are expected to offer Trump Accounts. Here is a quick comparison of their lowest-cost S&P 500 options:

Fidelity wins on fees. FXAIX at 0.015% is half the cost of VOO. Over 18 years of compounding, that adds up — though the absolute difference is still small.

Schwab wins on branches. With 400+ locations, Schwab gives you the most in-person support options. If you want face-to-face help, Schwab is hard to beat.

Vanguard wins on heritage and trust. They invented index investing. Their investor-owned structure means they are not trying to maximize profits from you. For many long-term investors, that philosophy matters.

The fee differences between all three are tiny. On a $10,000 balance, the difference between Fidelity (0.015%) and Vanguard (0.03%) is $1.50 per year. All three are excellent choices. Pick the one you trust most or already use.

For detailed comparisons, see Trump Accounts at Fidelity and Trump Accounts at Schwab. For a broader overview, visit Where to Open a Trump Account.

For more on how fees affect your child's long-term balance, see our Trump Account fees guide. To estimate growth over 18 years, try the fund expense tracker.